Appliance timer



March 13, 1962 L. A. WOOLLEY 3,025,366

APPLIANCE TIMER Filed June 27, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l llb 1 Big-2A 73 73INVENTOR.

LEE A. WooLLEY ATTORNEYS March 13, 1962 L. A. WOOLLEY 3,025,366

APPLIANCE TIMER Filed June 27, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 m/ 37 40 as /mlTL N 36 37 62 r 64 n H Hg. 4 4o 38 so I I I l 1 1 &

% 66 INVENTOR. LEE A. WOOLLEY fi r 5 BY ATTORNE March 13, 1962 A.WOOLLEY 3,025,366

APPLIANCE TIMER Filed June 27, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Ell LEE A. WOOLLEY w M 0/4 a, 4

/ ATTORNE United States Patent Ofifice 3,025,366 Patented Mar. 13, 1962Indiana Filed June 27, 1958, Ser. No. 745,142 17 Claims. (Ci. fill-33)This invention relates generally to an electrical switch structure, andmore specifically to an improved multiple circuit switch adapted for useas an appliance timer, and incorporating various novel features therein.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included invarious timers, a particularly useful application is made in timers ofthe type employed to control the various circuits and functions of anautomatic washing machine of the domestic type.

The instant invention represents a practical embodiment of a substantialimprovement to a timer disclosed in the US. patent to A. R. ConstantineNo. 2,703,347, issued March 1, 1955. While certain novel features havebeen disclosed herein, it will be apparent that the problems which theysolve are also present in other timers and that such structures may beincorporated in such other timers. Therefore, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure of certain of the features herein in connection withthe Constantine timer is not to be construed as a limitation.

In recent years, an ever increasing number of features and functionshave been added to modern automatic washing machines. These functionsare normally electrically controlled and operated in accordance with aprogram of operation established by the washing machine manufacturer.Because of electrical safety requirements, certain minimum size andspacing must be maintained in order to have a satisfactory product, suchsize and spacing referring to the switch elements thereof. Therefore, agiven size timer inherently is more or less limited to controlling acertain number of circuits.

Where a timer includes a face cam having a plurality of concentricallyarranged tracks, it is apparent that the innermost or central track willhave a somewhat smaller angular movement than will the outer track for agiven angular increment of advance. Thus as the tracks become smallertoward the center, their usefulness diminishes. This fact precludes theaddition of an infinite or increasing number of tracks toward the centerof a face cam to accommodate more circuits. It is also apparent that ifa cam is made larger, problems arise such as the lack of space to mounta timer in an appliance, and the scrapping of existing tooling anddesigns.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a timer which is capable of handling a somewhat larger number ofcircuits than has been done heretofore without sacrificing the spacingand load-carrying characteristics of the switch elements, and withoutincreasing the size of the resulting device.

When a given or basic timer is manufactured for a plurality of washingmachine manufacturers, it must be adapted in various ways to accommodatethe differing circuit requirements. Some users require a larger numberof circuits than do others. Some users require that there be available agreater amount of excess torque than do others, such excess torque beingavailable to positively drive a timer reliably even though binding maybe occurring, such as between the selector shaft and the cabinet of thewashing machine. Of course, a reduction in number of switches actuatedat any given point in the program effects an increase of excess torqueat such point in the program. However, such excess torque is not alwaysa blessing. The instant type of timer is one which includes a timing camwhich is driven in an intermittent or step by step action, asdistinguished from a timer of the type wherein the cam is allowed tocontinuously creep slowly. Thus the torque which is applied to thetiming cam in a timer of this type is only applied periodically. If anexcess amount of torque is applied, the timing cam due to its inertiamay be caused to advance by an amount greater than that desired, suchphe nomenon being referred to in the industry as over-stepping.

Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a timerof the intermittent type wherein overstepping is precluded, even thoughan excess amount of torque is present and available.

It is also an object of the instant invention to provide a means forpositively driving an intermittent drive should it hang up or bind inplace of fully advancing or stepping the cam.

Certain washing machine control circuits require that they be energizedfor relatively short periods of time, such as on the order of seconds.However, a typical timer of the stepping type may advance its cam atintervals as long as once every minute or minute and a half.

Accordingly, it is a still further object of the present invention toprovide a means whereby a circuit may be intermittently energized fordurations shorter than the length of individual cam steps.

Certain automatic washing machines are so constructed that they rely onthe energizing of a filling circuit for a predetermined length of timeto obtain the proper degree of fill at the beginning of a washing cycle.It is apparent that when washing machines are merchandised incommunities which have a water pressure somewhat greater than average,more water will enter a machine during a given period of time than willenter in a community where the water pressure is lower. Still further,some difference in pressure can be expected from various private watersystems. Still further, it is desired that a given timer may be able tobe used with washing machines having different tub capacities. It isfurther recognized that some users prefer to use their machines withmore or less water than the manufacturer might contemplate.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to providea timer which may be present at the factory or by a serviceman to eifectthe preferred duration of the filling portion of the-washing program.

Still another object is the provision of a timer wherein the amount ofwater which it will admit to the machine may be adjusted.

A still further object of the instant invention is the provision of atimer wherein all of the foregoing objects are met.

Yet another object is the circuit switch.

A still further object is the provision of a novel switch detentmechanism.

Another object is the provision of a novel intermittent drive mechanismfor a stepping type of timer.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the presentinvention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon makingreference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets ofdrawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating theprinciples of the present invention is shown by way of illustrativeexample.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of an appliance timer assembly provided inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and sectioned,of the timer shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2a is a fragmentary sectional detail of a portion of FIGURE 2shown in elevation;

provision of a novel multiple FIGURE 3 is a view generally similar toFIGURE 1, except that certain parts have been removed or broken away forclarity;

FIGURE 4 is generally similar to FIGURE 2 except that certain parts havebeen broken away and sectioned for clarity;

FIGURE 5 is generally similar to FIGURE 4, but with components thereofin a different relative position;

FIGURE 5a is a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 4 having a slightlymodified lower switch blade;

FIGURE 6 is generally similar to FIGURES 1 and 3, but with certain partsremoved and broken away for clarity;

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate the operation of a portion of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate the operation of a portion of FIGURES 1 and2.

As shown in the drawings:

The principles of this invention are particularly useful. when embodiedin a multiple switch or timer assembly such as illustrated in FIGURE 1,generally indicated by the numeral 10. The timer assembly includes asbest seen in FIGURE 2, a housing 11, a program timing or sequence cam12, a plurality of electrical switches such as 13, a motor 14, and anintermittent drive mechanism for the timing cam, generally indicated bythe numeral 15.

The housing 11 preferably comprises molded plastic from which twoidentical housing halves are made which jointly define a cavity 16therein. One of the housing halves is indicated by the numeral 11a andthe other housing half is indicated by the numeral 11b. The housing notonly encloses the switches 13, but also serves as a support for each ofthe various parts presently to be described. The housing half 11aincludes a plurality of pads 17 which jointly define a plane adjacent toone side of the timing cam 12, and which plane is normal to therotational axis of the cam 12. A spring 18 acts between the housing 11and the timing cam 12 to urge the cam 12 with a force against the pads17. Thus the pads 17 define a plane which serves as a locating referencefor the timing cam 12.

The timing or sequence cam 12 is a disc-like member disposed within thecavity 16 for rotation within the housing. The cam 12 is provided with aplurality of ratchet teeth 19 on its outer periphery, and a plurality ofcam tracks 20, 21 as best seen in FIGURE 6, and which tracks arearranged to be circular or arcuate and concentrically disposed andradially spaced with respect to each other. The tracks may be providedon either or both of the faces of the cam 12, and subject of course totheir rises or falls, each lies in a common plane on each side of thecam 12. The cam 12 is provided with a manual selector shaft 22 which isrotatably carried by the housing 11 coaxially with the cam 12. Thedetails of the shaft 22 are described later herein.

The electric switches 13 are disposed within the housing 11 adjacent thecam tracks such as and 21, so that the switches 13 may be opened andclosed in response to rotation of the timing cam. The switches 13include electrical contacts which are adapted such as by terminals 23for connection into an appropriate circuit of the appliance to becontrolled, such as a washing machine circuit. It will be noted that therepresentative switch 13 shown in FIGURE 2 comprises a double-throwswitch, and accordingly the associated cam track has three levelswhereby one stationary contact, the other stationary contact, or neitherof the stationary contacts is engaged by the movable contact thereof. Itwill be appreciated later herein that regardless of the angle betweenthe shaft 22 and the timing cam 12, the timing cam 12 will rotate aboutan axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the pads 17, whereby anyrunout between the cam 12 and the shaft 22 will not elfect a falseswitch movement. Heretofore, false switch movements of as much as .020inch have been commonplace and have precluded the use of double-throwswitches, while in the instant embodiment, such false movement has beensubstantially eliminated, thereby rendering the use of double-throwswitches practical for the first time in this environment.

The motor 14 is secured to the housing 11 such as by a motor mountingplate 24. Bolt and nut sets 2S28 secure the two housing halves 11a, 11btogether and also extend through the motor mounting plate 24. The plate24 is slotted as at 29 and pivoted about the axis of the bolt 27 wherebythe motor 14 and plate 24 may be angularly adjusted with respect to thehousing 11 in a lateral direction. It is thus apparent that the motor 14is offset from the cam 12. The plate 24 supports a portion of theintermittent drive mechanism 15 beneath a cover 36 which has an integralcar 31 which extends under a lug 32 which is integral with the plate 24.The cover 35} also has a pair of ears 33, 33 which extend through slotsin the motor mounting plate 24 and then are bent over, as best seen inFIGURE 4.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, it can be seen that the motor 14- hasan output shaft 3 extending through the mounting plate 24, therotational axis of which shaft is parallel to the rotational axis of thetiming cam and spaced radially therefrom. shaft 34 carries a pinion 35,such as by press fit, and which pinion meshes with a gear member asrotatably supported by the plate 24. It is apparent that the rotationalaxis of the gear member 36 is likewise parallel to the rotational axisof the timing cam 12 and spaced radially therefrom. Thus the member 36is rotatably driven by the output shaft 34 of the motor 14. The member.16 has an axially directed cam track having a rise and fall indicatedby the numeral 37, best seen in FIGURE 4-. A lever 38 has one endthereof 39 in engagement with the track 3'7 for a purpose explainedlater herein.

The member as has a pin 46 which comprises a part. of the intermittentdrive mechanism 15. The mechanism 15 includes a spring loading andreleasing device having the pin it), a bell crank lever 41, and atorsion spring 42.

The pin 49 is rotatable about a first axis 43 which is radially spacedfrom and parallel to the axis of the pin 40. Thus the pin 4% isrotatable about an axis remote from itself. Further, the pin 40 isdisposed parallel to and off-set from the axis of the output shaft 34.Since the pin 41? is securely attached to the member 36, the pin 49 isprovided with a driving connection to the out put shaft 34.

The bell crank lever 41 is pivotally supported by the housing 11 forrocking about a second axis axis 44 is also radially spaced from thetiming cam 12 and is parallel to both the first axis 43 and the pin 4%.The bell crank lever 41 includes a pair of arms 45 and 46. One of thearms 45 has a cam surface 47, 49 which defines an opening 56' in the arm45. The cam surface 47-49 is engaged by the pin 4d of the member 36.

The other arm 4a of the bell crank lever 41 may be termed a drive memberand is arcuatcly reciprocable in response to the rocking of the arm 45by tle rotation of the pin 40. The other arm 46 has a pawl 51 pivotablysecured thereto, while a spring 52 acting between the pawl 51 and thearm 46 is disposed therebctwecn to urge the pawl 51 against the ratchetteeth 19. The pawl 51 has a. stop ear 53 which engages a semiperforationor lug 54 on the bell crank lever arm 46. The spring 52 effects suchengagement when the pawl 51 is slightly spaced from the roots of theperipheral teeth 19 of the cam 12.

The torsion spring 42 acts between and engages the bell crank lever 41and an ear 55 integrally extending from the motor mounting plate The camsurfaces 47 and 49 each represent gradual cam rises, which confront eachother. The cam surface 47 is engaged by the pin as shown in 8 to wind upthe spring 42, thereby storing energy therein.

When the pin 4t? of the member 36 reaches the cam sur-- face 48 whichmay be termed a fall, the spring 4-2 unwinds forcing the cam surface 48to act against the pin 40 and effecting somewhat faster relativemovement therebetween. The fall 48 is arcuate in configuration and has ageometric center which is offset from the axis 44 of the bell cranklever 41 by a distance of about inch. Thus the fall 48 does not permitfree unwinding of the spring together with substantially instantaneousmovement of the bell crank 41, but rather effects a retarded advancewherein the torque present in the spring is fully present, but where thecomponents are accelerated at a slightly retarded rate so as to precludeoverstepping due to inertia of the cam 12. In the event that the bellcrank lever should bind, or in the event that the spring 42 would failto return the bell crank 41 to the position shown in FIGURE 6, then thepin 44 will engage the other gradual cam rise 49 to positively drive thelever 41, and thereby positively advance the cam 12. Thus means areprovided for the motor 14 to positively drive the spring loading andreleasing device mechanism 15.

When the pin 40 drives the arm 45 from the position shown in brokenlines in FIGURE 7 to a point slightly beyond that shown in FIGURE 8, thepawl 51 pivots slightly clockwise as shown with respect to the arm 46,while the bell crank lever pivots counterclockwise about the axis 44.The amount of movement which is effected is suficient for the pawl 51 toslip over at least one tooth 19 on the periphery of the cam 12, tothereafter advance the cam 12 by an increment of one tooth. Theadjustment effected by the slot 29 in the motor mounting plate 24 alsopermits a slight rocking of the bell crank lever 41 and the pawl 51 withrespect to the cam 12 in order to effect the proper alignment orcoordination between the switches 13, the cam 12, and the intermittentdrive mechanism 15.

It is thus apparent that the motor 114 plus the drive mechanism jointlycomprise a means for electrically rotating the timing cam 12,incrementally.

The lever 38, as best seen in FIGURES 3-5, which has an end 39 engagingthe axially directed rise and fall 37 on a face of the member 36, issupported by a. bracket 56 secured to the housing 11. The bracket 56 hasa pair of aligned slots 57, 58 in which the lever 38 is disposed. Theslot 57 has an edge 59 which engages the lever 38 intermediate its endsas a fulcrum, while the other slot 58 is defined by a pair of shouldersbetween which the lever 33 is disposed and guided for vertical movementas shown. The other end 6! of the lever 33 is angularly disposed andextends through an opening in the plate 56 freely. An additional switch61 disposed and supported within the housing 11 is operated by a plunger62 which is slidably supported in the housing If, and which is urgedoutwardly by one of the spring elements, which spring element is urgedinwardly by rocking move ment of the lever 33.

Thus the member 36 may have an operating speed of one revolutionperminute, for example, and two sets of rises and falls 37, whereby theswitch 61 may be opened and closed twice, for each time that the pin 4%of the member 36 makes one revolution. Thus the switch 61 may beactuated a number of times while the timing cam 12 has remainedstationary. Of course, the switch 61 is connected in a circuit throughanother switch so that the intermittent cycling of the switch 61 at arelatively rapid rate occurs only electrically when called forotherwise. The blade 63 of the switch 61 is yieldably biased in anupward direction against a stop blade 64, best seen in FEGURE 4. Whenthe plunger 62 is urged inwardly, the blade 63 is not only engaged bythe movable blade 65 but is also caused to move off the stop blade 64.

Referring now to FIGURE So, there is shown a slightly modified form ofswitch 61 wherein the blade 63 and stop blade 64 have been replaced by acontact blade 66 which is biased in the opposite direction against oneof the tracks of the cam 12. By this structure, the switch 6 is underthe joint control of the cam 12 and the lever 33, and the need forconnecting the switch in series with another is obviated. The switch 61is particularly useful for actuating a rinsing circuit, such as a sprayrinse.

The manual selector shaft 22 rotatably supported by the housing 11,generally coaxial and corotatably associated with the timing cam 12comprises a further means for manually rotating the timing cam 12. Asbest seen in FIGURE 2, the shaft 22 has an integral end portion 67 whichextends outwardly of the housing for manual manipulation or forreceiving a knob thereon. The shaft 22 includes an intermediate portionbest seen in FIGURE 2a at 68 which engages the timing cam 12. The shaft22 also has a first abutment means or a detent pin 69 and a switchactuating member 70 fixedly secured to the shaft within the housing.

The intermediate portion 68 of the shaft 22 is adapted in any convenientmanner, along with the timing cam 12, so that they are freely coupledtogether for driving corotation, for relative axial translation, and topermit a sli ht angular wabble between the axis of the shaft and therotational axis of the timing cam, such wabble having a magnitudedepending upon the degree which these axes do not coincide angularlyprecisely. In the instant embodiment, the cam 12 has an aperture 71through which the shaft portion 63 extends, and which is axially slottedas at '72, 72 to receive in each slot an ear 73, 73 which has beenformed on opposite sides of the portion 68, as by coining.

An additional switch having a blade 74 has been provided adjacent to theswitch actuating member 70, the blade 74 being operative in response toaxial movement of the shaft 22 whereby the actuating member 70 engagesand displaces the blade 74. By this structure, a switch is providedwhich may be used as a master switch and which is disposed inwardly ofthe smallest diameter useful cam track 20. Heretofore, in this type oftimer, it has not been possible to shift the shaft axially whereby asomewhat more complex mechanism was necessary to effect a switchingaction responsive to axial movement of the knob. Typically, it has beenheretofore necessary to provide a sleeve over the portion 67 whichthereby in creases the hole size which must be provided in a washingmachine cabinet to receive the shaft 22. Such an increase in size hasbeen objected to by the users of earlier forms of timers and it can beseen that the instant structure in providing a shaft 22 which issubstantially uniform throughout its entire length obviates the need forany such accommodation change.

The shaft 22 is further provided with a detent structure generallyindicated at 75 whereby the shaft is positively held in either an axialinward or outward position wherein the blade 74 is either positivelyheld open or positively held in closed electric circuit. The details ofthe instant detent are disclosed in a copending application of IceBowman, entitled Detent filed in the United States Patent Oflice on May15, 1958, U.S. Serial No. 735,482, now US. Patent No. 2,940,333.

The selector shaft 22 is also provided with an angularly adjustabledetent structure generally indicated by the number 76 and best seen inFIGURES l, 9 and 10. The detent pin 69 comprises a first abutment meanswhich is fixedly secured in the shaft 22 for rotation therewith, andextending radially therefrom. The detent pin 69 is disposed adjacent toa plate '77 which is supported by the housing adjacent to the detent pin69 and the bracket 56. The plate 77 has a second abutment means orblocking shoulder '78 which is positionable to engage the detent pin 69at various predetermined positions in a plane parallel to the rotationalpath of the detent pin. More specifically, the plate 77 is positionablein various predetermined positions in a plane parallel to the rotationalpath of the detent pin 69, and to this end is provided with at least oneslot 79 through which a mounting screw extends. Thus the plate 77 withits blocking shoulder '78 may be rotated about the shaft 22 and lockedin position. The bracket 56 is provided with an index 81 while the plate7'7 is provided with a plurality of indices 82 for indicating variousrelative positions. In the preferred form of the instant invention, thespaces or indices 32 represent different levels to which a Washingmachine tub may be filled, or represent difierent periods of time whichwater is permitted to flow into the tub of the washing machine.

The blocking shoulder 73 thus extends into the rotational path of thedetent pin 69 for interengagement therewith at a preselected orpredetermined position.

The particular cam track which controls filling is so disposed withrespect to the filling switch 13 at the end of a washing cycle, that theswitch 13 is open. Manual rotation or advancement of the knob is thereafter required to initiate the next washing program or repetition of thesame. The shaft is thus manually rotated until the detent pin engagesthe blocking shoulder 78. Upon the slightest rotation, the fillingswitch 3 becomes closed so that filling of the machine with water isthereby immediately initiated. Thus, if the plate 77 be set to oneextreme, namely so that the plus index is adjacent to the index 831,substantially the entire cam track 29 will be traversed during thefilling portion of the washing cycle. However, if the minus index isplaced in line with the index 81, a minimum amount of time remainsduring which the filling cam track 2% holds the filling switch 1%closed.

When the pin 69 engages the blocking shoulder 78, a definite feel istransmitted to the hand of the person advancing the timer. At thispoint, the shaft may be shifted axially so that the pin 69 clears theblocking shoulder 78 and so that the switch 74 is closed to initiate thewashing program. However, it is not necessary that the shaft 22 beshifted or shiftable in utilizing the structure disclosed for the plate77 and the blocking shoulder 78. it will be noted that the blockingshoulder 78 is disposed on the end of a finger like projection 83integrally forming a part of the plate 77. Since the pin 69 has acircular cross-section, it cams the shoulder 78 downward causing thefinger-like portion 83 to deflect as shown in FIGURE 10, therebyreleasing the detent pin 69. Thus while the instant structure disclosesmeans whereby both the shaft 22 and the pin 69 as Well as the blockingshoulder 78 may be shifted, it is to be understood that an advantageousstructure can be obtained where only one of these members is shiftable.Thus either or both abutments are movable in a direction perpendicularto the rotational path of the detent pin 69 to allow rotation of theselector shaft 22 past a point of resistance or blocking. It will benoted that in this embodiment, the housing ll. has standofi's 84, 35 towhich the bracket 56 and plate 57 are secured. The correspondingstandoifs of the other housing half lln provide a means for attachingthe timer to the appliance.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versedin the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within thescope of the patent warranted hereon all such embodiments as reasonablyand properly come Within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A multiple switch mechanism for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, having ratchet teeth on the periphery thereof, and having aplurality of radially spaced circular cam tracks on at least one facethereof; a plurality of electric switches disposed within said housingadjacent to said timing cam and adapted for connection in said circuitsand each being opened and closed for a predetermined time duration bythe rotation of said timing cam; a motor fixed to said housing andhaving an output shaft rotatable on an axis spaced radially of the axisof rotation of said timing cam; a

pin disposed parallel to and offset from said shaft axis, and havingdriving connection with said shaft for being rotated about an axisremote from said pin; and a spring loaded bell-crank lever having a pairof arms pivoted about an axis radially spaced from said timing cam, oneof said arms having a cam surface with a gradual rise and an arcuatefall, said fall having a geometric center offset from said lever-axis,the other of said arms having a spring held actuating pawl in contactwith said ratchet teeth, said pawl being retracted at least one toothupon the rotation of said pin against said cam surface rise followed bya retarded advance of said timing cam through a predetermined are uponthe engagement of said pin with said arcuate cam surface fall.

2. An intermittent drive mechanism for reciprocating a drive member,comprising: a pin supported for continual driven rotation in a singledirection about a first axis radially spaced from and parallel to saidpin; a bell crank lever pivotally supported about a second axis radiallyspaced from and parallel to said first axis and said pin, said leverhaving a pair of arms, one of said arms having a cam surface with agradual rise and a somewhat faster fall for being engaged by said pin,and the other of said arms being adapted to comprise said drive member;and a spring engaging said lever and adapted to receive and store energywhen said pin engages said gradual cam rise, and to release energy whensaid pin engages said fall.

3. An intermittent drive mechanism for reciprocating a drive member,comprising: a pin supported for driven rotation about a first axisradially spaced from and parallel to said pin; a bell crank leverpivotally supported about a second axis radially spaced from andparallel to said first axis and said pin, said lever having a pair ofarms, one of said arms having a cam surface with a gradual rise and anarcuate fall for being engaged by said pin, said fall having a geometriccenter offset from said second axis, and the other of said arms beingadapted to comprise said drive member; and a spring engaging said leverand adapted to receive and store energy when said pin engages saidgradual cam rise, and to release energy when said pin engages said fall.

4. An intermittent drive mechanism for reciprocating a drive member,comprising: a pin supported for driven rotation about. a first axisradially spaced from and parallel to said pin; a bell crank leverpivotally supported about a second axis radially spaced from andparallel to said first axis and said pin, said lever having a pair ofarms, one of said arms having an opening defined by a cam surface forbeing engaged by said pin, said cam surface having a pair of spacedconfronting gradual rises and a somewhat faster fall, and the other ofsaid arms being adapted to comprise said drive member; and a torsionspring engaging said lever and adapted to be wound when said pin engagesone of said gradual cam rises, and to unwind when said pin engages saidfall, whereby should said spring fail to unwind, said pin will engagethe other of said gradual cam rises to positively drive said lever.

5. A multiple switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closingof a plurality of circuits at predetermined time intervals and inpredetermined sequence comprising, a rotatable disc-like sequence timingcam having a plurality of concentrically disposed radially spaced camtracks in a common plane on each of the opposite sides thereof andhaving ratchet teeth on the outer periphery thereof, contacts arrangedfor connecting in circuits and opened and closed by the rotation of saidsequence cam, a motor disposed offset relative to said cam, a spring,and a spring loading and releasing device operated by said motor andcoacting with the ratchet teeth of said cam for advancing said cam inpredetermined increments, said loading and releasing device includingmeans by which said motor will positively drive said device in areleasing manner if the spring thereof should fail to release, therebyadvancing said cam.

6. A multiple switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closingof a plurality of circuits in predetermined sequence comprising incombination: a plurality of contacts arranged for connecting in circuitsand adapted to be opened and closed; a sequence cam having a pluralityof tracks for opening and closing the contacts upon rotation thereof; arotatably supported axially slidable shaft adapted to rotate said cam; apin fixedly secured to said shaft for rotation therewith and extendingradially therefrom; and a plate having a blocking shoulder supported bya yieldable resilient portion of said plate and disposed in thehorizontal path of said pin for engagement therewith; said pin and saidshoulder being each movable in a direction perpendicular to saidrotational path to allow rotation of said shaft.

7. A detent structure comprising: a rotatably supported axially slidableshaft; a pin fixedly secured to said shaft for rotation therewith andextending radially therefrom; and a plate having a blocking shouldersupported by a yieldable resilient portion of said plate and disposed inthe rotational path of said pin for engagement therewith; said pin andsaid shoulder being each movable in a direction perpendicular to saidrotational path to allow rotation of said shaft.

8. An adjustable detent structure comprising: a support; a shaftrotatably carried therein; a pin fixedly secured to said shaft forrotation therewith and extending radially therefrom; and a plate carriedby said support and adapted to be selectably disposed in various fixedpositions in a plane parallel to the rotational path of said pin, saidplate having a blocking shoulder positionable in the rotational path ofsaid pin for engagement therewith; at least one of said pin and saidshoulder being movable in a direction perpendicular to said rotationalpath to allow rotation of said shaft.

9. A multiple switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closingof a plurality of circuits, including a first circuit, in predeterminedsequence and at timed intervals comprising in combination: a housing, aplurality of contacts supported by said housing and arranged forconnecting in said circuits and adapted to be opened and closed; amotor-driven program cam having a plurality of tracks for opening andclosing the contacts upon rotation thereof; a manually rotatableselector shaft carried in said housing and adapted to rotate said camfor prepositioning thereof; a detent pin fixedly secured to saidselector shaft for rotation therewith and extending radially therefrom;and a plate carried by said housing and adapted to be disposed invarious predetermined positions in a plane parallel to the rotationalpath of said detent pin, said plate having a blocking shoulderpositionable in the rotational path of said detent pin for engagementtherewith at a point where the track of said program cam for thecontacts of said first circuit will hold the contacts of said firstcircuit closed for a selected length of time, at least one of saiddetent pin and said shoulder being movable in a direction perpendicularto said rotational path to allow rotation of said selector shaft.

10. A multiple switch mechanism for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, and having a plurality of radially spaced circular cam trackson at least one face thereof; a plurality of electric switches disposedwithin said housing adjacent to said timing cam and adapted forconnection in said circuits and each being opened and closed for apredetermined time duration by the rotation of said timing cam; a motorfixed to said housing and having an output shaft rotatable on an axisparallel to the rotational axis of said timing cam and spaced radiallytherefrom; means driven by said output shaft for rotating said timingcam and operative on the periphery thereof, said means including amember rotatably driven by said shaft and having an axially directed camrise and fall on a face thereof; a lever pivotally supportedintermediate its ends with respect to said housing, one end of saidlever being engageable with the axially directed cam rise and fall ofsaid member; and an additional switch supported by said housing andadapted for connection into a circuit, said switch being under thecontrol of the other end of said lever.

11. A multiple switch mechanism for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, and having a plurality of radially spaced circular cam trackson at least one face thereof; a plurality of electric switches disposedwithin said housing adjacent to said timing cam and adapted forconnection in said circuits and each being opened and closed for apredetermined time duration by the rotation of said timing cam; a motorfixed to said housing and having an output shaft rotatable on an axisparallel to the rotational axis of said timing cam and spaced radiallytherefrom; means driven by said output shaft for rotating said timingcam and operative on the periphery thereof, said means including amember rotatably driven by said shaft and having an axially directed camrise and fall on a face thereof; and a lever pivotally supportedintermediate its ends with respect to said hous ing, one end of saidlever being engageable with the axially directed cam rise and fall ofsaid member, one of said switches being under the further control of theother end of said lever.

12. A multiple switch mechanism for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, and having a plurality of radially spaced circular cam trackson at least one face thereof; a plurality of electric switches disposedwithin said housing adjacent to said timing cam and adapted forconnection in said circuits and each being opened and closed for apredetermined time duration by the rotation of said timing cam; a motorfixed to said housing and having an output shaft rotatable on an axisparallel to the rotational axis of said timing cam and spaced radiallytherefrom; means driven by said output shaft for rotating said timingcam and operative on the periphery thereof, said means including amember rotatably driven by said shaft and having an axially directed camrise and fall on a face thereof; a lever having one end engageable withthe axially directed cam rise and fall of said member; a bracket securedto said housing and having a pair of generally aligned slots receivingsaid lever, one edge of one of said slots engaging said leverintermediate its ends as a fulcrum, and the other of said slots servingas a guide for the other end of said lever; and an additional switchsupported by said housing and adapted for connection into a circuit,said switch being under the control of said other end of said lever.

13. A multiple switch mechanism for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, and having at least one circular cam track on an axiallydirected face thereof; a double throw switch within said housingadjacent to said timing cam face and adapted for connection in saidcircuits, said switch being opened and closed in response to therotation of said timing cam track; a unitary manual selector shaftsupported by said housing generally coaxially with said timing cam, saidshaft and said cam being freely directly coupled together in a manner topermit both driving corotation, relative axial translation, and slightangular wabble between their axes; said housing having a stationarymeans defining a stationary plane adjacent to peripheral portions of oneside of said rotatable cam and normal to the rotational axis thereof;and a spring acting between said housing and said rotatable cam andcontinually urging said peripheral portions of said rotatable camagainst said stationary plane-defining means.

14. A multiple switch mechanism for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, and having at least one circular cam track on a face thereof;an axially directed double throw switch within said housing adjacent tosaid timing cam face and adapted for connection in said circuits, saidswitch being opened and closed in response to the rotation of saidtiming cam track; means supported by said housing for rotating saidtiming cam; said housing having a stationary means defining a stationaryplane adjacent to peripheral porions of one side of said rotatable camand normal to the rotational axis thereof; and a spring acting betweensaid housing and said rotatable cam and continually urging saidperipheral portions of said disc-like cam directly against saidstationary plane-defining means.

15. A multiple switch mechanism. for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, and having a plurality of radially spaced circular cam trackson at least one face thereof; a plurality of electric switches disposedwithin said housing adjacent to said timing cam and adapted forconnection in said circuits and each being opened and closed in responseto the rotation of said timing cam tracks; a unitary manual selectorshaft supported by said housing generally coaxially with said timingcam, said shaft having an integral end portion extending outwardly ofsaid housing for manual manipulation and having an intermediate portiondirectly engaging said timing cam, said intermediate portion and saidtiming cam being adapted to permit both driving corotation and relativeaxial translation; a switch actuating member fixedly secured to saidshaft within said housing; an additional switch disposed adjacent tosaid actuating member and operative in response to axial movement ofsaid shaft; said housing having a means defining a plane adjacent toperipheral portions of one side of said cam and normal to the rotationalaxis thereof; and a spring acting between said housing and said cam andcontinually urging said disc-like cam directly against saidplane-defining means.

16. A multiple switch mechanism for use with a plurality of circuits,comprising: a housing; a disc-like rotatable timing cam within saidhousing, and having a plurality of radially spaced circular cam trackson at least one face thereof; a plurality of electric switches disposedwithin said housing adjacent to said timing cam and adapted forconnection in said circuits and each being opened and closed in responseto the rotation of said timing cam tracks, at least one of said switchescomprising a double throw switch; a unitary manual selector shaftsupported by said housing generally coaxially with said timing cam, saidshaft having an integral end portion extending outwardly of said housingfor manual manipulation and having an intermediate portion directlyengaging said timing cam, said intermediate portion and said timing cambeing freely coupled together in a manner to permit both drivingcorotation, relative axial translation, and slight angular wabblebetween their axes; a switch actuating member fixedly secured to saidshaft within said housing; an additional switch disposed adjacent tosaid actuating member and operative in response toaxial movement of saidshaft; said housing having a means defining a plane adjacent toperipheral portions of one side of said cam and normal to the rotationalaxis thereof; and a spring acting between said housing and said cam andcontinually urging said disc-like cam directly against saidplane-defining means.

17. A multiple switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closingof a plurality of circuits including a first circuit, in predeterminedsequence and at timed intervals comprising in combination: a housing; adisclike rotatable timing cam within said housing, having ratchet teethon the periphery thereof, and having a plurality of radially spacedcircular cam tracks on at least one face thereof; a plurality ofelectric switches disposed within said housing adjacent to said timingcam and adapted for connection in said circuits and each being openedand closed for a predetermined time duration by the rotation of saidtiming cam, at least one of said switches comprising a double throwswitch; a motor fixed to said housing and having an output shaftrotatable on an axis parallel to the rotational axis of said timing camand spaced radially therefrom; a member rotatably driven by said outputshaft and having an axially directed cam rise and fall on a facethereof; a pin supported by said member for driven rotation about afirst axis radially spaced from and parallel to said pin; a bell cranklever pivotally supported about a second axis radially spaced from andparallel to said first axis and said pin, said lever having a pair ofarms, one of said arms having an opening de fined by a cam surface forbeing engaged by said pin, said cam surface having a pair of spacedconfronting gradual rises and a somewhat faster fall, said faster fallhaving a geometric center offset from said second axis, and the other ofsaid arms being adapted to drivingly engage said ratchet teeth; atorsion spring engaging said lever and adapted to be wound when said pinengages one of said gradual cam rises, and to unwind when said pinengages said fall, whereby should said spring fail to unwind, said pinwill engage the other of said gradual cam rises to positively drive saidlever; a lever having one end engageable with the axially directed camrise and fall of said member; a bracket secured to said housing andhaving a pair of generally aligned slots receiving said lever, one edgeof one of said slots engaging said lever intermediate its ends as afulcrum, and the other of said slots serving as a guide for the otherend of said lever; an additional switch supported by said housing andadapted for connection into a circuit, said switch being under thecontrol of said other end of said lever; a manual selector shaftsupported by said housing generally coaxilly with said timing cam, saidshaft having an integral end portion extending outwardly of said housingfor manual manipulation, and having an intermediate portion engagingsaid timing cam, said intermediate portion and said timing cam beingfreely coupled together in a manner to permit both driving corotation,relative axial translation, and slight angular wabble between theiraxes; a switch actuating member fixedly secured to said shaft withinsaid housing; an additional switch disposed adjacent to said actuatingmember and operative in response to axial movement of said shaft; saidhousing having a means defining a plane adjacent to one side of said camand normal to the rotational axis thereof; a spring acting between saidhousing and said cam for urging said cam against said plane-definingmeans; a detent pin fixedly secured to said selector shaft for rotationtherewith and extending radially therefrom; and a plate carried by saidhousing and adapted to be disposed in various predetermined positions ina plane parallel to the rotational path of said detent pin, said platehaving a blocking shoulder positionable in the rotational path of saiddetent pin for engagement therewith at a point where the track of saidtiming cam for the switch of said first circuit will hold the switch ofsaid first circuit closed for a selected length of time, at least one ofsaid detent pin and said shoulder being movable in a directionperpendicular to said rotational path to allow rotation of said selectorshaft.

References (liter! in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

